16 architectural champions receive top honours at Australian awards

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 24 March 2011 Embargoed 8PM WST 24/03/11

16 architectural champions receive top honours at Australian awards

An entrepreneurial Perth businesswoman and patron, a Sydney architect working with indigenous and disadvantaged communities globally, and a young architect/academic from Melbourne are among those receiving prizes at the second annual Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards (AAAA) in Perth tonight.

Announcing winners at a special ceremony at Perth’s new State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects celebrated:

• Graeme Gunn, recipient of the 2011 Gold Medal for Architecture (see separate media release)
• Janet Holmes a Court, recipient of the Institute’s President’s Prize
• Paul Pholeros, of Sydney-based Healthabitat, recipient of the Leadership in Sustainability Prize
• Dr Marcus White of Melbourne, recipient of the Emerging Architects Prize
• Sam Bresnehan, of the University of Tasmania, recipient of the BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize;
• Associate Professor Anna Rubbo, of the University of Sydney, recipient of the Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize;
• Daniel Brookes, of the University of Adelaide, winner of he Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture; and
• Carly Barrett, Christina Cho, Yuri Dillon, Jefa Greenaway, and Brendan Murray, winners of the Dulux Study Tour prize.

In awarding this year’s recipients, the juries delivered the following citations:

President’s Prize – Janet Holmes a Court
The National President’s Prize provides the opportunity for the Australian Institute of Architects to recognise and celebrate the exemplary contribution of an individual to the advancement of architecture. This annual Prize is for contribution outside those traditional areas of design, practice and education for which other forms of Institute recognition have been developed. Over the years, the Institute has been privileged in receiving strong support from an array of illustrious people outside the profession, individuals who have been convinced of the real value of architecture to its society and have been prepared to act publicly as powerful advocates for the discipline. And, in 2011, we honour one such person, Janet Holmes a Court. In amongst her many and numerous commitments, we were extremely fortunate to have Janet accept the invitation to become the Australian Commissioner for the Venice Architecture Biennale. She willingly took on the role with an astute vigour that soon enabled her to become the public Biennale face for Australia.
Janet studied at the University of Western Australia majoring in organic chemistry and, later, filled with distinction, the role of Pro-Chancellor of that University. Janet maintains a strong interest in medical research and the arts. Janet Holmes a Court will be known to many of you as the distinguished Australian who chairs one of Australia’s largest private companies, Heytesbury Pty Ltd, and the John Holland Group. Perhaps less known is that she also chairs the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and the Urban Design Centre of WA. She is a Commissioner of Tourism Western Australia, a Board Director of Vision 2020 Australia, a Governor of Sony Foundation Australia and Board Member of the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund. She was made an AO, being promoted to a Companion of the Order (AC). The National Trust of Australia has included her on its list of 100 Australian Living Treasures. To all these achievements Janet agreed to add the role of Commissioner for the Venice Architecture Biennale. As the envoy, advocate, fundraiser, adviser, Janet brought humour, energy, candour, and a straight-forward, no-nonsense intelligence which, when combined with her broad cultural understanding, made her an ideal Commissioner. She encouraged and cajoled, presented and persuaded – all for architecture. And, in Venice, Janet was the perfect host, the perfect traveller, the perfect palazzo-mate, the Commissioner for whom nothing was too difficult. It is our privilege to recognise Janet’s essential contribution to the Australian presence at the Venice Architecture Biennale of 2010 and to welcome, hugely, her willingness to act again in this role for the 2012 Biennale.
Jury Chair Geoffrey London
Leadership in Sustainability Prize – Paul Pholeros, Healthhabitat
Paul Pholeros is a founding Director of Healthabitat. Fellow Directors are Dr. Paul Torzillo AM (thoracic physician) and Stephan Rainow (anthropologist and public and environmental health officer. Healthabitat was established with the primary aim of improving the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by improving their living environment. Healthabitat was conceived of as a not for profit organization with each partner contributing their professional skills to various projects as needed. In 1974 Paul Pholeros, together with 3 other architecture students, took a double-decker bus on a tour of Australia. What Paul saw, in both the privations of our indigenous population and the elegance and simplicity of vernacular design have been brought together in his architectural work, in particular the Housing for Health program of the past 25 years. Gathering around him a large team of health and architectural specialists he has set out a system of simple designs and technologies that can dramatically improve the life of aboriginal groups, literally ‘sustaining people’. Based on extensive research, Housing for Health are able to engage with local communities, working with them to identify the key issues that need to be addressed to improve individual and group health, including ‘Healthy Living Practices’ and simple technological change. They have improved over 7000 houses in 180 project locations around Australia, improving the lives of over 40,000 indigenous people, and the approach is now being used overseas. Team: Adrian Welke, Greg Norman, Justine Hill, Bill Mansell, Tony Davies, John Shiel, Christian Tietz, Andy Irvine, Tim Short, Tim Sowerbutts, Mike O’Brien, Dave Ferrall, Paul Williamson, Karin Richards, Paul Torzillo, Stephan Rainow, Jeff Standen
Jury Chair Tone Wheeler

Emerging Architects Prize – Dr Marcus White
The jury was overwhelmed with the breadth of experience and dedication to the profession that this entrant exhibited. Dr Marcus White is an architect, urban design, director of his own practise, university scholar, teacher at RMIT and Melbourne University and a research fellow at RMIT SIAL. His architectural work has been extensively published and exhibited throughout Victoria and he has an impressive list of awards and research grants against his name. A point of difference identified by the jury with this entry was Marcus’ demonstration of excellence in practice, research and education that are equally outstanding is competence.
Marcus is active in Australian Institute of Architects forums, is a leader of the profession, and perhaps most importantly for this Prize, Marcus presents a model professional to the emerging demographic whose achievements are an aspiration benchmark.
It is with great pleasure and no hesitation that the jury awards Dr Marcus White the inaugural recipient of the National Emerging Architect Prize.
Anthony Balsammo, EmAGN President

BlueScope Steel Glenn Murcutt Student Prize – Sam Bresnehan, University of Tasmania, Atelier Spring Bay: maritime workshops + exhibition space, Triabunna, Tasmania
Sam Bresnehan’s mature and sensitive Atelier Spring Bay: maritime workshops + exhibition space, at Triabunna, Tasmania, was unanimously selected by the jury as the project that responded with a sound understanding of place, technology and culture. Sam has created a gentle, yet industrial group of workshops and ancillary spaces well suited to the surrounding marine environment in which the project was sited. His work displays a strong and clear resolution within the marine environment. Readily available suitable local timber is used widely, for both the purposes of boat building as well as the construction of the workshops and exhibition spaces. Using local timber for purposes other than felling and chipping the trees for pulp – this project affords the region the potential to forge a more sustainable identity – is a beautiful idea. The jury appreciated this imaginative complex and relaxed scheme without it being ‘tricky’; this project stands out as well thought through, buildable and believable.
Highly Commended
Nic Moore, WIRED Lab, University of Sydney; Lachlan Seegers, Newcastle Abattoir and Beef Market, University of Newcastle; Stephen Monahan, Re:Generate Kinglake, Deakin University
Jury Chair Glenn Murcutt
Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize – Associate Professor Anna Rubbo
Associate Professor Anna Rubbo’s contribution to architectural education has been extensive and sustained, and her contribution and commitment has broadened and enlightened students of architecture, while also raising awareness more broadly about the relevance and value of architecture in the context of social, political and cultural life within and beyond Australia. A recipient of a commendation in 2005, Associate Professor Rubbo is now recognized through the Neville Quarry Architectural Education Prize for her continued outstanding leadership and development in architectural education both before and since 2005.
Associate Professor Rubbo has contributed to international design education and collaboration as the convener of Global Studios in Istanbul, Vancouver, Johannesburg and Bhopal, engaging more than 500 participants from 66 universities and 30 countries, and maintaining a pivotal role over many years. This program has introduced students to the nature of the social responsibility of architects and architecture, extending their knowledge of global housing issues and international environments, and providing a vehicle for their own contributions.
Associate Professor Rubbo has made a significant, on-going contribution to architectural discussion within academia, the profession and the wider community, having organized over two hundred public lectures, and as co-founding editor of Architectural Theory Review, and as author of many refereed publications and conference papers. She has also
personally presented numerous public or invited lectures nationally and internationally, produced films and organised and contributed to Australian and international architectural exhibitions. She has also demonstrated her leadership and commitment, and has provided a strong role model for students, through her positions within the University of Sydney and external organisations such as expert groups for UN Habitat and UIA Architects without Frontiers.
Associate Professor Rubbo has worked tirelessly to bring together the interests of the profession and the wider community through architectural education – promoting a wider awareness of the need for social inclusion including working with disadvantaged groups.
Commendation: Barry Hugh McNeill
Barry McNeill has had a long and distinguished career as a practicing architect, educator, mentor, activist and advocate for architecture and the built environment. His enduring enthusiasm for and engagement with architecture as a cultural and environmental endeavour is exceptional, and he has contributed to better built environment outcomes through his own practice and through educating, advising and inspiring others.
Barry McNeill was Head and then Director of the Department of Environmental Design at the Tasmanian CAE, where he transformed the teaching program to a ‘learning by doing’ model, a leading approach in the 1970s. He led an interdisciplinary team approach, where environmental design studies became the foundation for architectural, urban planning and landscape architectural education. This broadened the base of traditional architectural learning by encouraging individual study, project-centred learning, work experience and community engagement. Barry McNeill’s pioneering educational framework was an inspired and engaging model with a far-reaching influence, and is of continuing relevance.
Concurrent with his academic and practice commitments Barry McNeill has been an engaged and influential participant in numerous committees, commissions, boards and community organisations and has advanced educational policy at State and National levels. His endeavours have left a lasting imprint on generations of architects, on architectural practice and the work of related disciplines.

Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture – Daniel Brookes
Danny Brookes has an outstanding record of achievement in Leadership, Community, Education and Publication. Danny demonstrates leadership through his roles in SONA locally and nationally, is the representative for undergraduate students on the Faculty of Professions Board and is an advocate for design on the University of Adelaide’s Student Reference Group for development on campus. He has initiated a number of built projects in 2010 in collaboration with the University’s Student Union, SRC leaders, staff from Property and Marketing Departments and architecture students across year levels. He instigated the “Consultation” Wall Library Installation, working with other students over holidays to design a construction hoarding, which allows students to give feedback on architecture. Working within a tight budget and State heritage constraints, Danny also involved students from the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design in the design and refurbishment of a former café space on campus. This project was so successful that other spaces on campus are being considered for student-lead design refurbishment. Danny has also been involved in publication, writing and designing for the student magazine On Dit and is a regular contributor to the Architecture Journal PLACE SA. He has published articles about several of his own projects and those of other students from both the University of Adelaide and Uni SA, and has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring of other students. As well as these significant contributions to student life in architecture, Danny is an excellent scholar across the discipline. The quality, range and effectiveness of his endeavours speak also of the strength of his interest in architecture and this prize in particular wishes to celebrate and acknowledge this aspect. Danny Brookes is a most deserving winner of the 2011 Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture, and we wish him the best in the future, and give him every encouragement in maintaining and developing his contributions to architecture.

Dulux Study Tour – Carly Barrett; Christina Cho; Yuri Dillon; Jefa Greenaway; Brendan Murray
Carly Barrett is a graduate of Architect with 2nd Class Honours from the University of Western Australia. Carly is currently employed as a designer at HASSELL, Perth.
Carly’s work to date shows a highly creative, and a clear commitment to, and enthusiasm for architecture. She showed a commitment to promoting architecture and design and exploring opportunities for emerging architects to promote architecture and develop their skills in exhibitions and collaborative projects. Carly has been instrumental in facilitating the growth of young designers through collaboration and exhibiting works at a number of venues in Perth. Carly’s work to date presented an interesting series of design projects both conceptual and realized. Included in her submission were a number of insightful comments from colleagues and employers which supported her submission and attested to her “genuine passion for design”. The Jury felt that Carly’s submission demonstrated personality and a good sense of humor, which were considered excellent attributes for Dulux Study tour participants!

Christina Cho graduated from the University of Queensland with first class honours and is a registered Architect in Queensland. Christina’s letter of support from Timothy Hill was “glowing” and the way he described her attitude saying “It is this well targeted effort of rounding out her area of operations to become the type of architect that the wider world might value rather than the type of architect that the profession itself might celebrate”.
The layout and presentation of her work and involvement within architecture was very effective. Christina states that she is working towards not just a physical construction of space, but to place importance on human conversation and interaction needed to activate the spaces. Her commitment to community work was very high which is to be commended and this was echoed in the letter of support supplied by Michael Rayner as her current employer.
The Jury decided that Christina’s solid project experience and community involvement were of such a high standard that she be awarded a place on the 2011 Dulux Study Tour

Yuri Dillon graduated form the University of Queensland with Honours in 2001 and is a registered Architect. Yuri presented himself as an architect dedicated to sharing his experiences and fostering the growth and development of young architects by providing an environment and company culture which is open for staff to explore the discipline of architecture. Through Liquid Blu’s operations, as the sole director and owner, Yuri has developed the company to be a leader in providing architectural, interior design and master planning services to the private and public sector. Yuri has developed projects across a wide range of market segments including Private Residential, Multi-Residential & Mixed Use Development, Commercial, Retail, Hospitality, Health, and Sport and Recreation Projects.
Yuri is seeking to establish Liquid Blu as an international design brand known for creating inspiring environments that support and enhance the human condition.
The Jury were impressed with Yuri’s commitment to good design and through that the promotion of architecture and felt that what Yuri would learn on the tour would be invaluable to the future of his practice and the profession.
The first thing that impressed me was the fact that Yuri had the confidence to enter into sole practise very soon after gaining his Bachelor of Architecture. His presentation was very professional and was reflected by the references. Yuri had a wide portfolio of work which all looked to have excellent design elements. After reading through the entry you felt that this was a future leader of the industry. The reference supplied buy Richard Korhammer captures the essence of the entry and confirms Yuri as an excellent candidate for the Dulux Study Tour

Jefa Greenaway graduated from the University of Melbourne with Honours and is the first indigenous registered Architect in Victoria. Jefa’s letters of support from Prof Paolo Tombesi and from his clients were very different in their context but were a great reflection of Jefa’s work ethic and attitude to Architecture. Jefa has won numerous awards and distinctions of note including winner of the 1999 RAIA Presidents Student Award by displaying an ‘all round excellence and leadership in the student community’. Jefa has solid project experience and as the director as of his own practice, has begun to chart a direction to cement himself as a contemporary emerging architectural practice. The Jury Felt that the Dulux Study Tour would provide Jefa a huge boost in terms of his knowledge base which will enhance both his work and teaching at The University of Melbourne for the benefit of many young students.

Brendan Murray is a Registered Architect in NSW and senior Project Architect with Johnson Pilton Walker, Sydney. Graduating from the University of Canberra in 2004, he received 1st class Honours, a University Medal and RAIA ACT Chapter Medallion, along with Honours in Musicology from the Canberra School of Music. Brendan has practiced for 10 years, commencing with an undergraduate cadetship at Mitchell, Giurgola & Thorpe (2001-2005); and continuing as an Architect with Johnson Pilton Walker in 2005. Brendan presented himself as an outstanding candidate who has been commended in formal study, in practice as a project architect on award winning and commended projects, and by his peers and employers. Brendan has demonstrated a thorough commitment to architecture, architectural education, research and social advocacy. His excellent achievements were supported by a varied and exceptional body of built work. The Jury agreed that Brendan appears to be a highly valued member of a well regarded design practice and that he would benefit greatly from the experience gained on the Dulux study tour.
Australian Institute of Architects